She was introduced by Miami University student Alex Ponikvar, who told the crowd that he has been knocking on doors and registering voters.

"Give a warm Miami welcome to the first lady of the United States, Michelle Obama," Ponikvar said.

The first lady spoke for about 30 minutes to a crowd that included musical artist will.i.am and supporters from as far away as Chicago.

An estimated 2,600 people braved a long line in freezing rain Saturday to see the first lady speak at Miami University in Oxford in southwestern Ohio. Obama shouted to the crowd that there are just "three more days for four more years!"

"I'm fired up and ready to go myself because in three days we have the opportunity to elect an honest, decent man," Obama said.

She highlighted what President Barack Obama has done in office and said he's the one who will move Ohio forward.

"This economy was on the brink of collapse," Obama said.

The first lady touted health care reform, the auto industry bailout, the end of the war in Iraq, and she addressed students directly.

"Barack (Obama) knows that like me, and like so many of you, we never could have attended college without financial aid," Obama said.

But the applause was quieted by cautious realism.

"As my husband has always said, this election is going to be closer than the last one. That is the only guarantee, so brace for it," Obama said.

Obama also said the president has been working hard for everyone since day one of his term.

She quoted former president Bill Clinton who told supporters, "It takes longer than four years to rebuild a country that was on the brink of collapse."

Obama also talked about the value of treating everyone with dignity and respect. She praised veterans and stressed that President Obama will fight to make sure they receive the benefits they've earned.

In closing, Obama urged everyone to get out and vote saying the president only won Ohio in 2008 by about 262,000 votes -- or about 24 votes per precinct.

The message resonated with Democratic students on the campus.

"A lot of people are on the fence and, just because Paul Ryan went here, that doesn't mean he's going to win over every independent vote," Miami University College Democrats representative Bryan Stewart said.

Stewart said he's doing everything he can to help the re-election effort.

"Making my Facebook status, 'Hey, this is my phone number. If you want to talk about the issues, or if you're confused by an ad you see, I try to study this. I've studied this in class. I would love to talk with you about it,'" Stewart said.

Both presidential candidates have been making rounds across Ohio recently.

Republican challenger Mitt Romney planned a visit to Cleveland after rallying thousands Friday night in West Chester, about 25 miles away from Miami University.

No Republican has won the White House without taking Ohio and only two Democrats in more than a century.

Stay with News 5 for more coverage of President Obama’s rally Sunday at Fifth Third Arena.